“Let me guess,” Luca mutters. “You dated?”
“It was more of a fling.”
Luca’s eyes widen. “And what was his issue?”
“Henrik? Nothing. I introduced him to my friend Maribel, knowing they would hit it off. And now, as you heard, they’re expecting their second child.”
“Wait.” Luca shakes his head. “You introduced your ex to your friend?”
“I wouldn’t call him an ex. It was a brief little…fun,” I try to explain. “And he’s perfect for Maribel.” I bite my bottom lip, grinning. “You know, even though I have a ton of guy friends, especially from soccer, I am the ultimate girls’ girl, DiBlanco.”
“Yeah,” he says slowly, as if seeing it for the first time.
“Here you go!” Henrik sets two cocktails in front of us.
“Thanks, mate,” Luca murmurs, reaching into his wallet.
Henrik shakes his head and holds out his hand, waving away the money. “It’s on the house. Be good to Carla; she’s one of the best.”
Luca nods. “Of course, I…thank you, Henrik. Grazie.”
A big group, a bachelorette party, enters the speakeasy and I laugh. Bachelorette parties are so hit or miss.
“Have fun with that.” I flip my chin to Henrik.
He chuckles. “It was good to see you, Carla.”
“Tell Maribel I’ll call her this week. I’m back in Valencia now.”
“She’ll be happy to hear it. Have a good night, you two. Holler if you need anything.” Henrik moves toward the approaching group of women.
“Come on,” I say, lifting my drink and gesturing toward a little table. “Let’s grab a seat before the show comes on.”
“What is this?” Luca sniffs his drink.
“A secret,” I reply. “But it’s gin based.”
“Carla, you always push me outside my comfort zone.”
I slip onto a seat and look up at him, noting how larger-than-life his presence is, somehow even bigger in the atmosphere of the speakeasy. With his classic, Italian good looks and strong value system centered on family, loyalty, and reliability, he could be ripped right from the page of a historical romance novel. “Is that a good or bad thing?”
Luca takes the seat beside me. “When I’m with you, Carla, it feels like flying. And it’s exhilarating.” He clicks his glass against mine before leaning back in his seat.
His arm drapes around the back of my chair, his hand curling around the top.
The lights dim slightly as the jazz band starts their next set.
But I can’t tear my eyes away from Luca. I used to watch him when no one was looking, stealing furtive glances, and praying Alejandro didn’t call me out for it.
But tonight, I study him with abandon.
He’s always made me feel like I’m flying. Like I’m capable of anything. He never made fun of my dreams but inspired me to chase them.
And I realize that even now, in this season of uncertainty, he’s been that same steady, encouraging voice for me. He’s always seen me, even when I didn’t feel worthy of being seen.
16
Luca
